U.S. patent number 4,790,231 [Application Number 07/110,044] was granted by the patent office on 1988-12-13 for lightweight belt link for telescoped ammunition and belt formed therefrom.
This patent grant is currently assigned to ARES, Inc.. Invention is credited to Eugene M. Stoner.
United States Patent |
4,790,231 |
Stoner |
December 13, 1988 |
Lightweight belt link for telescoped ammunition and belt formed
therefrom
Abstract
A lightweight ammunition belt link comprises first, second and
third elongate, tubular shell holding rings sized to slidingly
receive cylindrical, telescoped amunition. First and second webs
interconnect the three shell-holding rings so that the first and
second rings are axially spaced apart on a first longitudinal axis
and the third ring is on a second longitudinal axis, which is
laterally separated from the first axis by slightly over one shell
diameter, the third ring is offset between the first and second
rings which are spaced apart so that in forming the ammunition
belt, the third ring of one link fits between, the first and second
rings of a next link, and can be axially aligned therewith. A shell
installed into the first and second ring of one link and the
interposed third ring of an adjacent link connects the two links
together and forms a pivot point enabling one link to hinge around
the adjacent link for belt storage. The links include a detent
which engages a shell groove to releasably retain the shells in the
links. The links are preferably formed of a thermoplastic material
such as LEXAN brand thermoplastic for light weight and high
strength.
Inventors: |
Stoner; Eugene M. (Palm City,
FL) |
Assignee: |
ARES, Inc. (Port Clinton,
OH)
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Family
ID: |
26807651 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/110,044 |
Filed: |
October 13, 1987 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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774160 |
Sep 9, 1985 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
89/35.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42B
39/087 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F42B
39/00 (20060101); F42B 39/08 (20060101); F42B
039/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;89/35.01,35.02
;102/433,434 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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36603 |
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Mar 1909 |
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AT |
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202937 |
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Oct 1908 |
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DE2 |
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1158409 |
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Nov 1963 |
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DE |
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1385924 |
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Dec 1964 |
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FR |
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Primary Examiner: Bentley; Stephen C.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fowler; Allan R.
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
06/774,160, filed 09/09/85, now abandoned.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A belt of linked ammunition, comprising:
(a) a plurality of telescoped cylindrical ammunition shells each
having an annular recess formed in the cylindrical surface thereof
adjacent the forward end thereof;
(b) a plurality of plastic links interconnected by said cylindrical
shells;
(c) each link having
(i) first, second and third rings,
(A) each ring defining a smooth cylindrical interior surface of the
same interior diameter, said interior diameter being in excess of
the exterior diameter of the cylindrical ammunition shells, whereby
the shells may be pushed forward through the rings without the
rings binding thereon, and
(B) the first ring of each link terminating at its forward
extremity in a forward facing annular surface; and
(ii) web means connecting and spacing the rings of the link, such
that the first and second rings are spaced apart on one side of the
web means and have a common axis for their interior cylindrical
surfaces, and the third ring is disposed centrally on the other
side of the web means, with the interior cylindrical surface
thereof being axially parallel to and at a spaced apart location
from the common axis of the first and second rings;
(d) the third ring of each link fitting between the first and
second rings of each adjacent link in the belt so as to provide an
interior surface in registration with the interior surfaces
thereof;
(e) the plural links being interconnected into a belt by the
interposition of the cylindrical ammunition shells within said
registered cylindrical surfaces of the rings of adjacent links;
and
(f) each link having detent means protruding from the cylindrical
interior surface of the first ring of the link, said detent means
being disposed adjacent the forward facing annular surface of the
first ring, and being in engagement with the annular recess formed
in the surface of the associated cylindrical ammunition shell,
whereby the ammunition shell can be rammed forward out of the links
without producing excessive distortion of the plastic links and
consequent binding of the shell by the links.
2. The belt of claim 1 wherein the detent means comprises a
relatively small upstanding tab which protrudes radially inward
from the cylindrical interior surface of the first ring.
3. The belt of claim 2 wherein the tab is beveled on its surface
interior of the first ring so as to facilitate loading and pushing
of the associated ammunities round through the registered rings of
the links.
4. The belt of claim 3 wherein the annular recess is beveled in the
same direction as the tab on the first ring of the associated link,
to facilitate loading and pushing of the associated ammunition
round through the links.
5. The belt of claim 1 wherein each ring further defines a smooth
cylindrical exterior surface, of a common exterior diameter.
6. The belt of claim 5 wherein the web of each link extends from
the exterior cylindrical surface of the first and second rings to
the exterior cylindrical surface of the third ring.
7. The belt of claim 6, wherein the axial length of the portion of
the third ring opposite the web is sufficiently reduced from the
separation distance between facing surface of the first and second
rings, to fit between, and thereby prevent binding of the third
ring on, the web of the adjacent link extending from the exterior
cylindrical surface of the first and second rings to the exterior
cylindrical surface of the third ring.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to shell feeding apparatus
for automatic guns and more particularly to ammunition feed belts
of the disentegrating, link type for use with machine guns,
automatic cannon and the like and to links therefor.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Many types of automatic guns are provided for military services
throughout the world. Such guns range in size from handheld
automatic rifles and sub-machine guns, through machine guns, to
large automatic cannon. Because these weapons must obviously be fed
shells for firing, many associated types of shell feeding apparatus
are also produced for military services. Shell storage provision
may be incorporated into such shell feeding apparatus;
alternatively, the feeding apparatus may be configured for
transporting shells from a shell supply to the associated gun for
firing.
Frequently, automatic guns have a natural or inherent cycling rate
which is potentially faster than the rate at which shells can be
fed to the gun; although, obviously no gun can actually be fired at
a faster rate than the shell feeding rate. Because the rate at
which shells can be reliably fed to a gun thus often determines the
maximum firing rate of the gun, considerable attention is directed
towards feeder design and construction to enhance gun
performance.
By way of example, most small, hand held automatic (or
semi-automatic) weapons are fed shells from linear or drum
magazines. Springs, acting on shells in the magazines, push the
shells towards a magazine feed port from which the gun bolt group
extracts a shell on counterrecoil movement, and through which
shells are loaded into the magazine. The ability of the springs to
reliably advance shells in the magazine, regardless of the number
of shells generally limits the maximum number of shells a
particular magazine can hold, with magazines for larger caliber
shells typically holding fewer shells than magazines for small
caliber shells. By way of further example, large automatic or
automated cannon are ordinarily fed from an associated shell supply
by a shell transfer apparatus, which may typically comprise some
type of conveyor. For some such shell feeding apparatus, the shell
supply may, itself,include a shell conveyor in which the shells are
stored and by means of which,during gun firing, the shells are
advanced to a transfer position from which they are subsequently
conveyed by the feeder to the gun.
More relevantly, intermediate sized guns, including machine guns
and smaller caliber automatic cannon (for example, up to about 35
mm size) are mos commonly fed shells by means of flexible
ammunition belts. Such belts are connected to feeder portions of
the associated gun, being advanced into the gun in response to
firing. Flexible ammunition belts used with most early models of
machine guns were generally constructed of canvas or fabric webbing
with a series of loops provided along the belt for holding the
shells. These belts remained intact when shells were extracted from
the loops, the belt being fed through the guns as shells are fired.
Although such fabric belts could be reloaded for reuse, various
disadvantages, which may, for example, include problems of the
empty belts being entangled with the gun or other equipment and
tearing of, or damage to, the belts. Such problems have led to the
almost universal use of ammunition belts constructed of a large
number of individual, rigid belt links which may be joined together
by shells held by the belt or which may be configured for
separately being connected together. In the former situation,
extraction of the shells causes the links to be disengaged from one
another and in the latter situation delinking apparatus associated
with the gun are typically used for link disengagement. In any
event, as shells are extracted from the belt for firing, the belt
disintegrates link-by-link so that there is in fact, no empty
section of belt. Ordinarily the links are discharged from the gun
with, or separately from, fired shell casings and are disposed of
therewith. The individual links thus may be discharged overboard,
for example, from a vehicle or aircraft, with the shell
casings.
In addition to elimination of empty belt problems, the links of
disintegratable ammunition belts, being generally quite rigid,
importantly provide both more secure shell retention and more
uniform shell positioning in the belt than is generally provided by
web belts. As an illustration, if a shell accidentally falls out of
an ammunition belt, the gun stops firing when the empty shell
position of the belt is reached. Also, if a shell is partially out
of its required position, feeding of the belt into the gun may be
jammed.
Typically, both continuous web and linked ammunition belts have
heretofore been concerned only with the carrying and feeding of
conventional, tapered casing shells of the type used throughout the
world for the past many decades. Because of the casing taper, such
shells cannot ordinarily be pushed through the belt loop or links
and shell extraction thus requires the shells to be pulled
rearwardly out of the belts. Thereafter, the shells must, of
course, be moved back forwardly a least about two shell lengths
before the shell is fully chambered for firing, a long gun
operating stroke thereby being necessary which limits the cycling
and the firing rate.
Alternatively, some few types of belt links are provided which only
partly encircle the shells held thereby. Delinkers may then be
provided which expand the links and enable the shells to be
extracted sidewardly from the links.
Regardless of the type of links used for disintegratable ammunition
belts, the links, being generally considered as expendable, must be
relatively inexpensive to be practical. It should not, as an
example, be the case that the links are more costly than the shells
held thereby. Moreover, the links should be comparatively light in
weight, since in most military weapons systems, including the
available ammunition, weight is important. Still further, the links
must be sufficiently strong to support the weight of a fully loaded
belt and to withstand belt advancing stresses. The links must be
sufficiently rigid to prevent belt entanglement while at the same
time must be sufficiently flexible to permit the amount of belt
twisting and "fanning" needed for gun movement and to permit belt
folding for storage in ammunition boxes. Yet another requirement is
that the links be relatively small so that only a minimum amount of
ammunition storage space is lost by use of the links. As a result,
for reliable shell feeding, particularly in fast firing guns
requiring fast shell feeding, proper belt link design is very
important.
Link configuration for disintegratable ammunition belts is, of
course, affected by ammunition configuration. Currently, there
exists considerable interest, in at least some segments of the
military in many countries, including the United States, in the
redesign of shells. Such shell redesign would provide non-tapered,
completely cylindrical shell casings into which the projectiles are
fully recessed, in contrast with conventional shells in which the
casings are both tapered and necked-down and from which the
projectile portion protrudes. Although such cylindrical shells are,
because of the recessed projectile, larger in diameter than
conventional shells of the same caliber, they are substantially
shorter in length.
Actual or potential advantages of the cylindrical, telescoped
shells are the easier and more efficient shell storage and the
easier shell handling during feeding, including the ability to feed
the shells forwardly through a firing chamber. On the other hand,
advantages of conventional, tapered and necked-down shell casings
are that forward shell movement control is enabled and forward
movement can be limited, for example, when such shells are
chambered into the breech of a gun for firing.
In any event, the use of cylindrical, telescoped shells requires
that new belt links be provided for belted ammunition. It is,
therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a belt
link for a disintegrating ammunition belt which is especially
configured for holding cylindrical shells.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a
lightweight, comparatively inexpensive plastic belt link for use
with cylindrical shells.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a belt
link for a disintegrating ammunition belt, especially for
cylindrical shells which uses one of the shells to interconnect
adjacent belt links together and which enables the links to pivot
about the shells so that a belt constructed of a number of the
links can be doubled back upon itself for belt storage.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention
will be readily apparent from the following detailed description,
when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a disintegratable
ammunition belt link for holding cylindrical, telescoped shells
comprises first, second and third rings, each of which have an
inner diameter sized to slidingly receive a cylindrical shell of a
particular caliber and means for interconnecting the first, second
and third rings together with the first and second rings axially
aligned, and spaced apart on a first longitudinal axis a distance
at least as great as the axial length of the third ring and with
the third ring axially aligned along a second longitudinal axis
parallel to, and spaced apart in excess of one shell diameter from
the first longitudinal axis, and with the third ring aligned
between the first and second rings. The wall thicknesses of the
first, second and third rings are such as to permit the
simultaneous axial insertion of one of the shells into the first
and second rings and another one of the shells into the third ring.
Preferably the third ring is configured relative to, and is so
interconnected with, the first and second rings as to limit axial
movement of one link relative to an adjacent link when the third
ring of one link is positioned between the first and second rings
of the adjacent link and a shell is axially inserted therethrough
to hold the two links together. The distance between remote axial
ends of the first and second rings, that is, the overall axial
length of the link, is preferably less than the axial length of the
shells held by the links
The belt of linked ammunition comprises a plurality of telescoped
cylindrical ammunition shells, each having an annular recess formed
in the cylindrical surface thereof adjacent the forward end
thereof, and a plurality of plastic links interconnected by said
cylindrical shells. Each link has first, second and third rings,
and each ring defines a smooth cylindrical interior surface of the
same interior diameter. This interior diameter is in excess of the
exterior diameter of the cylindrical ammunition shells. Thus, the
shells may be pushed forward through the rings without the rings
binding thereon.
The first ring of each link terminates, at its forward extremity,
in a forward facing annular surface.
Each link also has web means connecting and spacing the rings of
the link, such that the first and second rings are spaced apart on
one side of the web means and have a common axis for their interior
cylindrical surfaces. The third ring is disposed centrally on the
other sides of the web means, with the interior cylindrical surface
thereof being axially parallel to and at a spaced apart location
from the common axis of the first and second rings.
The third ring of each link fits between the first and second rings
of each adjacent link in the belt. This provides an interior
surface in registration with the interior surfaces of the first and
second rings.
The links are interconnected into a belt by the interposition of
the cylindrical ammunition shells within the registered cylindrical
surfaces of the rings of adjacent links.
Each link has detent means protruding from the cylindrical interior
surface of the first ring of the link. The detent means is disposed
adjacent the forward facing annular surface of the first ring, and
is in engagement with the annular recess formed in the surface of
the associated cylindrical ammunition shell. Thus, the ammunition
shell can be rammed forward out of the links without producing
excessive distortion of the plastic links and consequent binding of
the shell by the links.
Preferably, the detent means comprises a relatively small
upstanding tab which protrudes radially inward from the cylindrical
interior surface of the first ring.
It is also desirable, in order to facilitate loading and pushing of
an associated ammunition round through the registered rings of the
links, that the tab be beveled on its surface interior of the first
ring, and that the annular recess be beveled in the same direction
as the tab on the first ring of the asosciated link.
The links may conveniently have rings which further define a smooth
cylindrical exterior surface, of a common exterior diameter.
The web of each link may extent from the exterior cylindrical
surface of the first and second rings to the exterior cylindrical
surface of the third ring. In this situation, the axial length of
the portion of the third ring opposite the web should be
sufficiently reduced from the separation distance between facing
surfaces of the first and second rings as to prevent binding of the
third ring on the web of the adjacent link.
When the shells are formed with an annular indexing groove around
the outside thereof, preferably adjacent the projectile end
thereof, each belt link correspondingly includes means for engaging
the shell groove when one of the shells is axially inserted into
the link along one of the first and second axes. The shell groove
engaging means preferably comprising a detent on the link first
ring, the detent being preferably positioned so that when a shell
is inserted into the first and second rings until the detent
engages the shell groove, the first ring is relatively adjacent to
the shell projectile end. Preferably the links are constructed of a
thermoplastic material, the plastic of preference being LEXAN brand
thermoplastic.
An elongate ammunition belt is constructed of a number of the
described belt links, each adjacent pair of links being held
together by one of the shells. The shells holding adjacent links of
the ammunition belt together function as pivot pins enabling great
longitudinal flexibility of the belt which permits tight folding of
the belt for storage in ammunition boxes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A better understanding of the present invention may be had from a
consideration of the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which.
FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing showing a disintegratable
ammunition belt constructed of belt links in accordance with the
present invention, and shown in operative feeding relationship with
an associated gun.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged, perspective drawing of one of the belt links
of FIG. 1 showing construction thereof; and
FIG. 3 is a plan view, taken generally along line 3--3 of FIG. 1,
showing a plurality of belt links interconnected with cylindrically
shaped shells and showing forward removal of a shell from two
adjacent links.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Shown generally in FIG. 1 is a disintegratable ammunition belt 10
which is constructed from a number of individual belt links 12,
adjacent ones of which are interconnected by shells 14. Ammunition
belt 10 is shown, by way of illustrative example, in operative,
feeding relationship with an associated automatic gun 16, (shown in
phantom lines), several folds of the belt 10 being contained within
an ammunition box 20. As further shown in FIG. 1, in response to
firing of gun 16, an individual link 12 and a fired shell casing 22
are ejected through respective gun ejection ports 24 and 26, belt
10 being drawn into the gun by a reciprocating feeding slide 30
which is caused to move outwardly over the belt in response to
firing of the gun, retracting pawls 32 mounted on the slide push
against one (or more) links 12 as the slide returns, (under spring
tension) towards the gun (direction of arrow "A").
Belt link 12 comprises, as best seen in FIG. 2, respective first,
second and third elongate, tubular shell holding rings 34, 36 and
38 having an inside diameter, D.sub.1, which is slightly greater
than the outside diameter, D.sub.2, of shells 14 (FIG. 3). First
and second webs 40 and 42 interconnect rings 34, 36 and 38 so that
first and second rings 34 and 36 are axially aligned on a first
longitudinal axis 44 and third ring 38 is on a second longitudinal
axis 46 which is parallel to, and spaced apart a distance "d" from
the first axis, such axis separating distance, "d", being slightly
greater than one shell outside diameter, D.sub.2, so as to enable
one shell 14 to be inserted into first rings 34 and 36 at the same
time as another one of the shells is inserted into third ring 38,
as more particularly described below.
First web 40 interconnects first and third rings 34 and 38 at
annular end surface 48 of first ring 34 and an annular end surface
50 of third ring 38. Similarly, second web 42 interconnects second
and third rings 36 and 38 at an annular end surface 52 of second
ring 36 and an annular end surface 54 of third ring 38. End
surfaces 48 and 52 of first and second rings therefore face one
another and are separated by a distance "1.sub.1 ", (FIG. 3).
To enable interdigitating of links 12 with one another to form
ammunition belt 10, the separation distance, 1.sub.1, between
facing surfaces 48 and 52, first and second rings 34 and 36 is made
at least slightly greater than a maximum axial length, 1.sub.2, of
third ring 40 (FIG. 3). Ammunition belt 10 is then assembled by
fully inserting third ring 38 of one link 12 between first and
second rings 34 and 36 of a next link, aligning the three rings and
inserting a shell 12 into all three rings. Belt assembly continues
in such manner until a desired length is attained. It is seen that
each shell 14 contained in belt 10 holds two adjacent links 12
together and that, for example, the removal of the endmost shell by
shell ramming portion 56 (FIG. 1) of gun 16 disengages the end link
from the next-to-the-end link so that the end link can be ejected
or discharged from gun port 24 (FIG. 1).
By constructing each link 12 so that separation distance, 1.sub.1,
between first and second rings, 34 and 36 is at least slightly
greater than maximum length, 1.sub.2, of third ring 38, when belt
10 is assembled in the above-described manner, adjacent links are
enabled to hinge relative to one another, about the shell 12 that
holds the two links together. This enables the belt to be folded
back on itself for space-efficient ammunition storage. In this
regard, the projecting end of third ring 38 (remote from ring
interconnecting webs 40 and 42) is made sufficiently shorter than
length, 1.sub.2, so that during such link hinging action, ring 38
of one link 12 does not bind against webs 40 and 42 of the adjacent
link when the belt is folded for storage.
Some amount of flexibility of links 12, is ordinarily desirable to
enable limited fanning and twisting of the assembled belt 10. Some
belt fanning and twisting may, for example, be needed to
accommodate relative movement between gun 16 and ammunition box 20,
and the amount of fan and twist required may therefore, depend upon
particular gun system specifications. In general, the amount of the
belt fanning and twisting cumulatively provided by involved links
12 should be sufficient to prevent binding of belt 10 in gun 16
and/or in feeder slide 30 throughout the full range of allowed gun
movement so that reliable shell feeding occurs. On the other hand,
links 12 should not be so flexible as to permit excessive belt
fanning or twisting which could cause belt kinking, with resulting
belt misfeeding into gun 16.
As can be appreciated, the twisting and torsional flexibility of
links 12 depends upon many such factors as the material from which
the links are formed, the size of the links, wall thickness, t, of
rings 34, 36 and 38, length and configuration of ring
interconnecting webs 40 and 42, overall axial length, L, of the
links relative to length, L.sub.1, of shells 14 and of separation
distance, 1.sub.1, between rings 34 and 36 relative to axial length
1.sub.2 of third ring 38. As an illustration, increased fanning and
twisting of belt 10 can be provided by selecting a more flexible
material from which links 12 are constructed, by reducing ring wall
thickness, t, and/or increasing the length and flexibility of
interconnecting webs 40 and 42.
Each of rings 34, 36 and 38 have a same inside diameter, "D.sub.1
", which is slightly greater than the outside diameter "D.sub.2 ",
of shells 14, thereby enabling the shells to slide relatively
freely into and out of the rings. The retaining, of shells 14 in
belt link 12 (that is, in rings 34, 36 and 38) thus preferably does
not entirely depend upon the tightness of the shells in the link
rings. Instead, shells 14 are positively retained in links 12 by a
small, radially inwardly projecting detent or tab 58 which is
joined to, or formed on, at the forward end of first ring 34,
adjacent an annular forward ring surface 60.
Detent 58 is shaped to engage an annular groove 62 formed into the
periphery of shells 14 a distance, "d.sub.1 ", rearwardly of a
forward shell end 64 (FIG. 3) and may be beveled in a manner
enabling the detent to ramp up out of groove 62 in response to
axial movement of the shell in at least the forward axial
direction. Width "w", (in a circumferential direction) of detent
58, as well as angle of bevel and material flexibility, is
selected, relative to shape of shell groove 62, so that a
predetermined axial ramming force is required to push the shell
forwardly out of the rings.
Belt link 12 is constructed of a sufficiently resilient or flexible
material which provides spring action of detent 58 causing the
detent to snap into locking relationship with shell groove 62 when
a shell 14 is forwardly inserted into rings 36 and 38. Link
material and configuration, however, allows detent 58 to flex
outwardly (temporarily deforming ring 34) so that an inner beveled
detent surface 66 slides along shell outer surface 68, during shell
insertion, without causing damage to either the link ring or the
detent or to the shell being inserted into link 12.
It is desirable that links 12 be light in weight and low in cost,
while at the same time being relatively strong and resistant to
deterioration under worst case storage and field use conditions for
long periods of time. For such purposes, links 12 may
advantageously be injection molded from a strong, tough
thermoplastic material such as LEXAN brand thermoplastic.
Alternatively NYLON brand plastic or TEFLON brand plastic may be
used.
By way of specific example, with no limitations intended or
implied, the following link configuration may be provided for
holding telescoped 50 caliber shells 12 which have an overall
length, L.sub.1, equal to about 3.5 inches and which have an
outside diameter, D.sub.2, of about 1.0 inches. Overall axial
length, L, of links 12 may be about 1.75 inches, rings 34 and 36
may each be about 0.375 inches in axial length, and third ring 40
may have a minimum axial length of about 0.40 inches. Wall
thickness, t, of rings 34, 36 and 38 may be about 0.040 inches and
ring inner diameter, D.sub.1, may be about 1.005 inches. Separation
distance, d, between ring axes 44 and 46 may be 1.10 inches. Width,
w, of detent 58 may be about 0.25 inches, the detent projecting
about 0.040 inches from an inner surface 66 of ring 34. The angle
of bevel of surface 66 of detent 58 is preferably about 30.degree..
Thickness of webs 40 and 42 may be about 0.10 inches. Links 12 may
be constructed of type 141 LEXAN brand thermoplastic.
Although there has been described above a specific arrangement of
ammunition belt links and ammunition belts constructed therefrom,
particularly for telescoped ammunition, in accordance with the
invention for purposes of illustrating the manner in which the
invention may be used to advantage, it will be appreciated that the
invention is not limited thereto. Accordingly, any and all
modifications, variations, or equivalent arrangements which may
occur to those skilled in the art should be considered to be within
the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *